This page will answer questions commonly asked by students and parents.
- Can I use my PowerGrade program to import data into Excell to create graphs to use in my PDSA cycles?
- I received a warning on my LCD projector that says my filter needs cleaning. Do I need to put in a help desk ticket for that?
- How do I use the Apperson Scanner?
- Where can I get help setting up Turnitin.com for my classes?
- How can I be successful printing in the LMC?
- How can I locate informational text at the right Lexile level to help prepare my students for the Common Core testing?
- What is a flip camera and how do I use one?
- How can I access, work on, and save changes to documents in My Server Documents from home?
Can I use my PowerGrade program to import data into Excell to create graphs to use in my PDSA cycles?
Nadine Whitney figured this one out and was nice enough to share this information with you.
Use this link to access her directions and examples of a Sample Test Grade Chart and an
example of a Multiple Choice Test with Multiple classes. Just copy and paste the URL below to
access the direction and examples.
http://teacherweb.com/AZ/sdohs/hubbs/apt65.aspx
I received a warning on my LCD projector that says my filter needs cleaning. Do I need to put in a help desk ticket for that?
Warnings of the need to clean your LCD projector should not be
ignored or put off. A clean filter increases the life of the
projector's bulb and bulb are very expensive. When you receive
this warning, either clean the filter and reset the filter's
timer yourself, or create a Help Desk ticket to have the filter
cleaned.
How do I use the Apperson Scanner?
Apperson Directions (See detailed video instructions at
http://dvusdhorizon.wikispaces.com)
*****Be sure to install Datalink software found in
“Delivered Applications” on your desktop if you have not
already done so.
1. Be sure to plug the power cable into the wall socket and
attach the USB cable to your computer. Then open your programs
folder on your start menu and open the Datalink software.
*****If this is the first time you use your Datalink software
you will need to go to the file menu, go to “Datalink preferences”
, click the “gradebook” tab, and select “export for aspire”,
then click “OK”.
2. Once Datalink is open, you need to make sure on your top
toolbar that you click the magnifying glass which is data
collection mode. Please make sure that the green check is no
longer selected. This enables you to score without a key.
3. Now run the scan sheets through the scanner by pressing
the scan button on the scanner.
4. Once you have completed running the scan sheets through
the scanner, select “scanner results” on the top toolbar,
moved down to “export for aspire”. Save that file somewhere
where you’ll remember where it is. This is the file you will
upload into Horizon/Aspire.
5. Once the file is saved, you may now exit the Datalink software.
*****If you are scoring different tests, you need to go to this
process with each test that you take.
6. Now open Aspire/Horizon.
7. You will need to proceed to the “test bank” on the left-hand
menu.
8. Please locate your test by filling in the filters properly.
9. You need to find the icon on extreme right next to the test.
This is the import icon. Then you will need to browse for the
file you created from the Datalink software.
10. Then you need to “import” that file. Be sure to note any
rejections once you have imported that file at the very bottom
of the screen; you may need to scroll down. You may resolve and
process your rejections for a later import.
11. Click the process button to import all of your results into
Horizon/Aspire. The process is now complete.
Where can I get help setting up Turnitin.com for my classes?
This website http://turnitin.com/static/community/index.php?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9ws
RonuazOZKXonjHpfsX94uwsXqGg38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YAHTdQhcOuuEwcWGog8yRxZCOGRdYdN6Q%3D%3D
provides short tutorials to use Turnitin.com.
How can I be successful printing in the LMC?
1. First, do not wait until your due date to print. Be prepared and
plan for "issues". Common past issues have been:
your email provider is down or does not interface well with
the district network, your version of whatever word processing
program you use at home does not open at school, printers are
down at school, all computers are used and you can not get on
one, you thought you saved your file correctly but did not,
your thumb drive does not work on our network (there are a few
brands that have problems) ...
2. If using a word processing program at home, you should save
your file several ways:
A. With the extension associated with your word processing
program, and also...
B. As a text file with a .txt extension.
3. Provide the file for yourself three different ways:
A. Email your files as attachments (both .txt and the
extension associated with their program)
B. Copy and paste the entire text of your paper, including
your works cited page, into the actual text area of the email you
send to yourself.
C. Save the files (both .txt and the extension associated
with your home program) to a thumb drive to bring to school.
How can I locate informational text at the right Lexile level to help prepare my students for the Common Core testing?
Preparing your students to read informational text at the lexile levels tested on the upcoming
Common Core tests is critical. Common core tests for grades 9-10 will be written
at the 1080-1310 Lexile levels, and tests for grades 11-12 will be written at the
1210-1360 Lexile levels.
To help prepare your students for the Common Core testing, you will need to present
abundant opportunities for your students to read informational text at the appropriate
Lexile levels. There are several databases that make it easy for you to locate informational
text at the appropriate Lexile levels.
I would be more than happy to show you how to do this, but have provided directions below
for those who would like to try on their own.
1. Go to the LMC's website. The best way to do this is to go to our school's website and
then to select MEDIA CENTER under the general
information menu at the left.
2. Once in the LMC website, select ONLINE DATABASES 11-12 from
the menu at the left.
3. Select AZLibrary by clicking its blue box, and then click the
hyperlink to enter the AZLibrary Databases.
4. In the third column, under SCHOOL RESOURCES, select EBSCO Database Resources.
5. Enter your zip code and then click the first link called EBSCOhost Research Databases.
6. There are over 25 databases listed and four of them allow you to limit your
search by Lexile levels. Those four are: the History Reference Center which covers
all history topics, MAS Ultra which is a general database that will have information
on just about any topic imaginable, the Science Reference Center which covers math
and science topics, and Topic Search which covers a wide-range of topics. Place
check marks beside the databases you want to search, and then click CONTINUE at the
top or bottom of the page.
7. You are now set to search for your topic/s. Under the blank box where you would
type your search term/s, click the ADVANCED SEARCH link.
8. Under the green bar that says SEARCH OPTIONS, check the FULL TEXT box, then scroll
down to the SPECIAL LIMITERS areas for each of your selected databases and set the Lexile
reading levels to the following:
History Reference Center - 1050-1300
MAS Ultra - 1100-1300
Science Reference Center - 1050-1300
TOPIC Search - 1050-1300
9. Scroll back to the top of the page after you set your limits and type your
search terms in the search boxes. Click SEARCH in the green box to the right
and a list of "hits" will show.
If you have trouble, please let me know and I will help you individually.
Also, our students have been trained to use these databases, so they may be
able to help you as well. The freshmen are still learning, but the upper classmen
should be of help.
What is a flip camera and how do I use one?
Using the Flip Camera
A flip-camera looks like a small IPod and takes video recordings. The library now
has eight of them that you may borrow for up to a two-week period. The flip camera
has a flip up USB, hence its name, that connects to a USB port on a computer for ease
of transfering the file to a computer. After transfering the file, you will need to
convert it from its mp4 format to use in Windows Movie Maker. This is a simple process
to do with Format Factory, a free download that converts files. At this time you will
need to install Format Factory on a non-district computer to convert your flip movies as
the district blocks the site on district computers.
The library flip cameras have been set up and are ready to record. Press the ON button which is
on the right edge of the camera when the red button faces you.
Recording
1. To begin recording, press the red button and press it again to stop recording.
2. Lightly press and hold the + and – symbols to zoom in/out while recording.
3. To turn on the light for recording, hold the red button for a few seconds after
turning on the camera. This will put you in setup mode where you may enable the light.
Play Videos
1. Press the top left arrow to play/pause.
2. Lightly press and hold + and – to increase/decrease volume.
3. Lightly press < and > to view previous/next video.
4. Lightly press and hold < and > during playback to rewind/fast-forward.
Charging the Camera (takes about 4 hours)
1. Slide the USB latch down to flip up the USB arm. This latch is on the
left edge of the camera when the red button faces you.
2. Turn the camera so the red dot faces down and carefully connect its
USB arm to the computer’s USB port. Your laptop must be on in order
to charge the camera.
3. Place something under the camera ( a pencil works great) so the camera
does not hang down at an angle from the computer; this will protect the
USB connectors on the camera and your laptop.
4. The recording light, on each side of the lens, will come on while the camera
is charging and will turn off when the camera is fully charged.
5. Disconnect from your laptop when charged; this will preserve the battery’s
lifespan and performance.
6. Note: Please charge the camera before returning to the LMC.
Converting
The flip camera files are .mp4 which do not work in Windows Movie Maker, so you will
need to convert them. The following site is one of the best free converters available, and
it installs fine, even with our network restrictions. I recommend you convert your flip
videos to WMV format which works great with Window Movie Maker.
1. Install http://www.formatoz.com/
2. Connect the flip camera, via its USB connector, to your laptop.
3. Go to MY COMPUTER and locate FLIPVIDEO on the removable drive.
Double click to open. Click the DCIM folder, and then the 100Video folder
to view movie files from the flip camera. The file name will appear something like VID00001.MP4.
4. Open the Format Factory program and select HELP at the top for a beginner’s
tutorial which does an excellent job of teaching you to use this easy program.
Deleting Files
1. Please delete your movies from the flip camera before returning it to the LMC.
2. Turn the camera on and lightly press the trash can icon. Use the arrow buttons to
Select YES and then the OK button to delete.
Need Help?
If you need some one-on-one help with any of the above steps, see me in the LMC and I will work with you.
How can I access, work on, and save changes to documents in My Server Documents from home?
IS&T has provided documentation for how to upload and download documents
from the Portal. You may locate those directions by logging in to the Portal
and navigating to Departments -->IS&T --> FAQ's (or search keyword home), you
will find Accessing Documents from Home.pdf or the link to the same.